Nigeria is Officially The No1 Skin Bleaching Country in the World!

Pela Okiemute is another one who caused a storm with his bleaching products

Can you believe that the World Health Organisation has adjudged Nigeria as the country with the highest number of women who use skin-lightening products in the world? In a recent skin bleaching snap survey conducted by NOI Polls from February 3 – 5, and published on March 18, 2014 in Abuja, the polling agency said the assessment result confirms the submission of WHO on the endemic nature of skin bleaching among Nigerian women.
Recall that a report in The Vanguard newspaper of June 3, 2013 had said the WHO had indicated that 77 per cent
of women in Nigeria use skin-bleaching products being the highest in the world. The figure compares with 59 per cent in Togo, and 27 per cent in Senegal.  Asians are facing a similar trend as 4 out of 10 women in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan use a skin-whitening cream.


 The poll further revealed that despite the negative effects of skin bleaching affirmed by 83 per cent  of respondents; the top reasons why people still engage in the practice of skin bleaching are the need to “look beautiful” (35 per cent ) and to “look attractive to the opposite sex” (32 per cent). Skin bleaching was also reported as being mostly predominant amongst Nigerians within the age groups of 18–25 years (48 per cent) and 26-40 years (43 per cent). In addition, respondents identified some of the negative effects associated with skin bleaching to include “skin cancer” (35 per cent) and “skin damage” (25 per cent)”.

One of Pela's cliets after using his product.

Skin bleaching is said to be predominant among youths 18 – 40 years old. Yet, it is not as if they are not aware of the dangers inherent in skin bleaching as respondents were able to identify skin cancer and skin damage as two likely consequences of skin lightening. Why then do people indulge in this dangerous habit? The answer lies in the respondents’ view that people persist in skin bleaching because they believe it makes them look “beautiful and more attractive to the opposite sex”.  This is all balderdash!